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In any case, although it varies from one person to the next and depends a lot on the family, we do have the custom of having an herbal cup after a meal, at mid-morning, in the evening or before going to bed.

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Besides the traditional ones sold in bags, there are many other herbs awaiting you in the corner health food store. There is a wide variety, suiting every kind of ailment or whim. The main problem is that some don't taste very good if you drink them alone. So it is best to mix to make them sweeter and milder.

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There are many blends. In England you can buy them in bulk or in trusty old tea bags. The mildest ones, and here I am referring to flavor, not their health value are:
- Orange blossom. Orange petals, or in the case of orange blossom, shavings of the orange tree, that give that sweet taste to our teas. It has an aroma that smells like honey.
- Hibiscus. Gives a deep red color and will take away much of the bitter taste of some herbs you must take.
- Sweet chamomile. Will help disguise other flavors with its smooth aroma.
- Basil. If you have it lying in around in a bowl to scare off the mosquitoes and to prepare pasta dishes, it will also come in handy for enriching the taste of a tea. It also good for people addicted to coffee.
- Rosemary. Make tea from this and a clove of garlic to get ride of a hangover. It kills the taste of the garlic and above all is diuretic.
- Winter savory. With its lemony aroma it is good for giving tea a new flavor. For chicken dishes it is a sure way to cook up a hit.
- Mint. It is not the same as pennyroyal, spearmint, or peppermint. Mint is stronger than spearmint and milder than peppermint. It is used to give that touch of freshness so welcome at this time of year when temperatures start to rise.
- White thyme. One of the three kinds of thyme that grow in the Spanish countryside. It is 10 times stronger than common thyme or lemon thyme. It has a flavor similar to incense, because it actually comes from that family. In cooking it is used sparingly because it is so strong. But in teas it is useful for offsetting bitter tastes.

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There are just examples, because there are many varieties. But we must get over the idea that herbal teas are only for the sick or elderly. Put your teapot aside and you can begin to experiment with chilled herbal teas, on ice with a slice of lemon or orange. You can even serve them in a chimney glass or snifter, which looks nicer.

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Some of these teas blend well with alcohol and give the impression we are enjoying a cocktail, thus avoiding the sugar and carbonation of soft drinks. A tea of chamomile, a dash of lemon and a few drops of brandy is a delicious way to relax. Serve it on lots of ice. And mint tea with whisky is another great drink and good way to have a restful night.

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Orange blossom and lime-blossom with a bit of Cointreau is fantastic. It will remind you of looking out at the sea and hearing the sounds of the countryside behind you. Another good recipe is rosemary with a bit of Calvados. Or rum with a bit of melissa, lemon rind and melted chocolate. But cold. All of them are served very cold.